Discussion on notice to remove Speaker likely, BJD issues whip

Bhubaneswar: As the period of notice served by Congress to remove Speaker completed on Tuesday, a discussion is likely to be held on the issue on Wednesday in the Assembly for which BJD issued whip to its MLAs asking them to be present in the House on Wednesday and Thursday. According to Assembly guidelines, such notice could be discussed in the House after 14 days of serving the notice.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the manner in which the assembly is being conducted, the opposition Congress had served a notice for adoption of a resolution in the House seeking removal of Speaker Pradip Amat.

“We have brought this notice against the Speaker in order to apprise the people of the State that how Assembly rules are violated”, Cong chief whip Prasad Harichandan said. On the other hand, BJD’s Kalpataru Das termed it as ‘unfortunate’.

The State Congress, which accused the Speaker of partiality in many cases, had produced the notice signed by its 27 legislators to the Assembly secretary. As per the rules and procedures of the State Assembly, such notice can be taken up after 28 MLAs extended support. However, the main Opposition needs support of one member for the adoption.

On the other hand, BJP legislator party leader Jayanarayan Mishra said the party will decide on Wednesday whether it would support Congress’ move.